Pastor's Corner: Witness to the way

"... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

What does it mean to witness to Christ in our times? If images of street preachers, bible-thumpers, or door-to-door evangelists makes you shudder - you are not alone! I don't think standing on a street corner, preaching to the walkers or cars passing, has much appeal for anyone! Still, however skeptical folks are about Christians or Christian institutions these days, most people don't have anything against Jesus.

I was once asked by a man, who self-identified as a secular humanist, if he could join me on a mission trip to Angola. "How will you feel about being with a bunch of people who are going to talk about Jesus?" After a few moments of thought, he replied slowly, "Well, I really do think the world would be a much better place if we actually lived like Jesus."

Complete with instructions on the "P's" - purpose, promise, power and prediction - Jesus lays out the roadmap for the followers of the Way.

"You will be my witnesses" Jesus gives our purpose as his followers - at all times, in all ways, through all of our days on Earth - we are meant to point the way to Jesus. Nope, sorry - there are no days off! Once we claim to be Christians, we either proclaim Jesus, or we profane Jesus, everywhere we go ... by every word, every action, in all ways, through all our days on Earth. But don't panic! He makes a promise to all who follow him ...

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ... " We don't walk the Way of Jesus on our own. We are not alone on the journey ... not even one step is taken without God. Jesus promises the same powerful Spirit seen in his ministry, would be with them (us!) as they (we!) continue to tell about God's Kingdom.

"You will be ... in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Jesus commands, not just suggests, that we are his witnesses ... . beyond the comfort zone of our family, friends ... even beyond the familiarity of our own community or our own nation. To say, "yes" to Jesus is to proclaim him locally and globally. He predicts we will take "the good news" to places we might never have thought of going, to experience Christ with people we had never thought we would meet.

Today, with satellites and cell phones, we "see" people on the other side of the world. But, to see them as neighbors, to show concern for their well-being and seek justice on their behalf is the sign that we belong to Christ ... it's right alongside of loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. (Luke 10:27)

Perhaps being Christ's witnesses is less intimidating than we think. Maybe its keeping our eyes on Christ as our model in the big decisions and the little decisions each day. Maybe it's just doing our best and trusting God's power and grace to be with us. Maybe it is accepting the invitation to live and love like Jesus did, and trust that he's really got us. Now that's good news!

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Pastor Sue King

Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, Big Sandy United Methodist Church, Chester United Methodist Church